Apple TV Gets iOS 8 P2P AirPlay Support In Latest Update

In adding a bunch of new features to its OS X and iOS software just lately, Apple also made time for the oft-forgotten Apple TV, which was pushed to software version 7.0 a short while ago. But one of the flagship features to be integrated with the wider Apple device family – peer-to-peer AirPlay – is limited only to the very latest revision of the Apple TV hardware released in 2013, which is a bit of a downer for those in ownership of what they believed was a compliant 3rd-gen Apple TV.

See, while the Apple TV 3G is the only edition being treated to the update, there was another slightly refreshed model rolled out in early 2013. If you blinked at any point during the month of March last year, you probably missed the refresh, which tweaked a few internals but for the most part, or so we assumed, didn’t offer any ground-breaking new functionality.

However, for those rocking what they perhaps thought was the latest model – particularly given that all 3rd-gen Apple TV devices got the 7.0 update – it’s going to be a peer-to-peerless experience as far as P2P AirPlay is concerned, and unless your model number reads A1469, then you’re snip out of luck.

It’s a bit of a sly move on Apple’s part, particularly given how much the refresh was downplayed when it occurred. In fact, as per the accompanying release comments, we were led to believe that Apple TV A1469 wouldn’t affect the experience in any way. But tweaks to a support document posted on Apple’s official site suggest that in fact, those on the most recent model will enjoy a slightly enhanced experience.

At this point in time, it’s unclear as to what model A1469 includes within its hardware spec. that means it can offer peer-to-peer AirPlay but not the original 3rd-gen variant, but if you were looking forward to utilizing this feature, you will now have to grab a the rev A model if you wish to do so.